- The new partnership supports the nurturing of talent in the local film and TV industry.
- The deal provides sponsorships to marginalized Kenyans looking to pursue a career in film, digital content creation, and the creative arts.
Nairobi, May 9th, 2022: Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI), Kenya’s leading creative media and technology training institution, has signed an MOU with Netflix – the world’s leading internet entertainment service – marking an important step towards providing cutting-edge training and empowerment for Kenyans in the creative industry.
The partnership comes amid Netflix’s rising commitment to invest in Africa’s creative industries and to enhance the digital content ecosystem in Kenya. Netflix has committed KES 7M towards ADMI’s scholarship fund that provides financial support to African creatives to access world-class training in creative technology and digital media. This scholarship fund is part of the Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF) managed by the HEVA Fund. CESF, in partnership with Netflix, will provide financial support to African creatives to access quality tertiary education in film and TV-focused disciplines at sought-after academic institutions such as ADMI. The scholarship covers the costs of tuition, accommodation, study materials, stipend, and living expenses.
With an emphasis on telling authentic African stories, the Africa Digital Media Institute has deployed a progressive, practical, digital, value-based, and transformational curriculum. Marginalized students drawn from various parts of the country are benefiting from this scholarship.
Peter Wairagu, Head of School at ADMI said: “This groundbreaking partnership will help in ensuring the longevity of Kenya’s creative industry. We equip our students with essential skills and valuable resources. We supplement our curricula with intensive apprenticeships and incubators to ensure that the beneficiaries of this scholarship fund will be self-sustaining individuals who deliver great value and tell unique stories.”
Dorothy Ghettuba, Netflix’s Director of Series in Africa added: “Netflix is excited by the potential of Kenya’s next generation of creative storytellers. We believe there are great stories in Kenya and we want to do our part for Kenya’s creative community by supporting the development of the local film and TV industry and talent pipelines, both in front of and behind the camera, through partnership initiatives. We also hope that the stories will encompass themes that are unique to Kenya, which our global audiences will find appealing”
George Gachara, HEVA Fund’s Managing Partner reiterated HEVA Fund’s mission: “This partnership marked a significant milestone in the fulfilment of our vision to cultivate, support and nurture Kenya and East Africa’s creative and cultural practitioners and their businesses to achieve growth and sustainable livelihoods. Netflix has made financing and support available to Kenya’s dynamic creatives”
This MOU will be impactful in nurturing the development of a vibrant creative and film industry that is authentically Kenyan. The program is currently ongoing and set for completion in 2023; up to 16 beneficiaries are receiving world-class training.
About ADMI:
ADMI is a leading creative media and technology training institution, offering practical courses in Film & TV Production, Journalism & Multimedia, Mobile App & Game Development, Music Production, Sound Engineering, Animation & Motion Graphics, Graphic Design, Photography, Multimedia and Digital Marketing. ADMI programs combine high-spec technical training in creative media and technology with intensive digital and soft-skills coaching, along with a rigorous apprenticeship process, to secure industry placements for graduates.
About Netflix:
Netflix is the world’s leading internet entertainment service with over 117 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 140 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any internet-connected screen.